Former Apopka Elementary School teacher accused of molesting student

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A former Apopka Elementary School teacher was arrested on charges of molesting a student years ago.

Donald Sharp, 66, was arrested in Apopka on charges of sexual battery with a victim under 12 years of age.

In May 2015, a girl approached an Apopka Police Department school resource officer and disclosed the details of the alleged sexual battery by Sharp, her former teacher, six years earlier while she was in third grade, according to authorities.

The victim said Sharp would repeatedly have her sit on his lap. Authorities said Sharp had been investigated before for allowing students to sit on his lap, and the victim was interviewed as part of the investigation.

“Apparently she had been going through some difficult times in her life, and her parents were trying to determine her underlying issues. That is how they learned she had this experience,” said Sgt. Edwin Chittenden of the Apopka Police Department.

According to the victim, Sharp would whisper things in her ear and took her down a hallway several times where he allegedly touched her inappropriately.

Sharp was employed at Apopka Elementary School at the time of the alleged incident, but is no longer employed by Orange County Public Schools.

Shari Bobinski, a spokesperson for the district, said Sharp was not reappointed in 2009 and has not worked for the school district since the earlier investigation.

When Apopka police detectives tried to get information regarding the case from the school, the detectives were told by school officials they had to obtain the records through a public records request.

Police said they need to know if there are any more victims.

“It’s a distinct possibility. We don’t have any evidence that there is, but if there is, we would like them to come forward and let us investigate,” said Chittenden.

A thorough investigation was completed by detectives and charges were recently filed against Sharp.

Sharp is currently being held at the Orange County Jail without bail.

WFTV